Microstructure and magnetostriction of the melt-spun Fe83Ga17 alloy ribbons

The Fe83Ga17 alloy ribbons with four thicknesses were prepared by the melt-spun. The measured results show that the magntostriction is related to the thickness of ribbons and its maximum value, -2100 x 10(-6), has been obtained in the ribbon with thickness of 75 mu m. The XRD and DSC show that a phase with D0(3) structure emerges in those ribbons with thicknesses of 45, 55 and 75 mu m, and the transition of A2+D0(3)-> A2 occurred at 669 degrees C for the ribbon of 75 mu m. The increase of cooling rate can restrain the precipitation of Ga-rich phase in the ribbon. It is considered that the giant magnetostriction of ribbons originates from the A2+special D0(3) structure and shape magnetic anisotropy.